Unsupported Browser
The American College of Surgeons website is not compatible with Internet Explorer 11, IE 11. For the best experience please update your browser.
Close
Member ID
Become a Member
Open Search
Menu
ACS Home
My Dashboard
Donate to the foundation
About Us
Advocacy & Policy
Quality Programs
For Medical Professionals
For Patients
Become a member and receive career-enhancing benefits

Our top priority is providing value to members. Your Member Services team is here to ensure you maximize your ACS member benefits, participate in College activities, and engage with your ACS colleagues. It's all here.

Become a Member
ACS Home
My Dashboard
Donate to the foundation
Quality Programs
For Medical Professionals
For Patients
Advocacy & Policy
About Us
Become a member and receive career-enhancing benefits

Our top priority is providing value to members. Your Member Services team is here to ensure you maximize your ACS member benefits, participate in College activities, and engage with your ACS colleagues. It's all here.

Become a Member
Popular searches
Frequent searches
ACS
For Patients

Brochure References

Safe Pain Control for Adults

  1. NIDA. Misuse of prescription drugs. How can prescription misuse be prevented? Available at https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/misuse-prescription-drugs/how-can-prescription-drug-misuse-be-prevented. Accessed April, 2018.
  2. Chou R, Gordon DB, de Leon-Casasola OA, et al. Management of postoperative pain: A clinical practice guideline from the American Pain Society, the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, and the American Society of Anesthesiologists' Committee on Regional Anesthesia, Executive Committee, and Administrative Council. J Pain. 2016;17(2):131-57. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2015.12.008. Available at: http://www.jpain.org/article/S1526-5900(15)00995-5/fulltext. Accessed October 2, 2017.
  3. Gerbershagen, HJ. Pain intensity on the first day after surgery: a prospective cohort study comparing 179 surgical procedures. Anesthesiology. 2013;118(4).
  4. Dolin SJ, Cashman JN, Bland JM. Effectiveness of acute postoperative pain management – I: evidence from published data. Br J Anaesth. 2002;89(3):409–423.
  5. Munafo MR, Stevenson J. Anxiety and surgical recovery: reinterpreting the literature. J Psychosom Res. 2001;51(4):589–596.
  6. Gan, TJ. Poorly controlled postoperative pain: prevalence, consequences, and prevention. J of Pain Research. 2017;10:2287–2298.
  7. Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale. Available at https://www.va.gov/PAINMANAGEMENT/docs/DVPRS_2slides_and_references.pdf. Accessed March, 2018.
  8. World Health Organization. WHO’s cancer pain ladder for adults. Available at http://www.who.int/cancer/palliative/painladder/en/.
  9. Thompson M, Dunford E. Relaxation and mindfulness in pain: A review. Br J Pain. 2010;4(1):18-22.
  10. Lim YC, Yobas P, Chen HC. Efficacy of relaxation intervention on pain, self-efficacy, and stress-related variables in patients following total knee replacement surgery. Pain Manag Nurs. 2014;15(4):888-896.
  11. Quinlan-Woodward J, Gode A, Dusek JA, et al. Assessing the impact of acupuncture on pain, nausea, anxiety, and coping in women undergoing a mastectomy. Oncol Nurs Forum. 2016;43(6):725-732.
  12. Tedesco D, Gori D, Desai KR, et al. Drug-free interventions to reduce pain or opioid consumption after total knee arthroplasty: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Surg. 2017;152(10):e172872.
  13. American Massage Therapy Association. Position Statement. Available at https://www.amtamassage.org/statement1.html. Accessed March, 2018.
  14. Acetaminophen PI. Available at https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2015/204767s000lbl.pdf. Accessed April, 2018.
  15. US Dept of Health and Human Services, FDA (CDER). Organ-specific warnings: Internal analgesic, antipyretic, and antirheumatic drug products for over-the-counter human use — labeling for products that contain acetaminophen guidance for industry. November, 2015. Available at https://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/Guidances/UCM310477.pdf. Accessed January, 2018.
  16. Advil PI. Available at https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2011/018989Orig1s079lbl.pdf. Accessed April, 2018.
  17. Motrin PI. Available at https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2007/017463s105lbl.pdf. Accessed April, 2018.
  18. Naprosyn PI. Available at https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2016/018965s022s023lbl.pdf. Accessed September, 2018.
  19. Celebrex PI. Available at https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2005/020998s017lbl.pdf. Accessed April, 2018.
  20. Neurontin PI. Available at https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2009/020235s041,020882s028,021129s027lbl.pdf. Accessed April, 2018.
  21. Lyrica PI. Available at https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2011/021446s026,022488s005lbl.pdf. Accessed April, 2018.
  22. Ultram ER PI. Available at https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/021692s015lbl.pdf. Accessed March, 2018.
  23. Norco PI. Available at https://www.allergan.com/assets/pdf/norco_pi. Accessed March, 2018.
  24. Vicodin PI. Available at http://www.pdr.net/full-prescribing-information/Vicodin-Vicodin-ES-Vicodin-HP-acetaminophen-hydrocodone-bitartrate-2548. Accessed March, 2018.
  25. Dilaudid PI. Available at https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2007/019892s015lbl.pdf. Accessed March, 2018.
  26. Oxycontin PI. Available at https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2008/020553s059lbl.pdf. Accessed March, 2018.
  27. Percocet PI. Available at https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/fda/fdaDrugXsl.cfm?setid=4dd36cf5-8f73-404a-8b1d-3bd53bd90c25&type=display. Accessed March, 2018.
  28. Rudd RA, Seth P, David F, et al. Increases in drug and opioid-involved overdose deaths - United States, 2010-2015. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2016;65(5051):1445-1452. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm655051e1.
  29. Brummett C, Waljee J, Goesling J, et al. New persistent opioid use after minor and major surgical procedures in US adults. JAMA Surg. 2017;152(6):e170504. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2017.0504. Available at: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/article-abstract/2618383. Accessed January, 2018.
  30. Alma A, Gomes T, Zheng H, Jamdani MM, Juurlink DN, Bell CM. Long-term analgesic use after low-risk surgery: a retrospective cohort study. Arch Intern Med. 2012;172(5):425-430.
  31. Webster LR, Webster RM. Predicting aberrant behaviors in opioid-treated patients: Preliminary validation of the opioid risk tool. Pain Medicine. 2005;6(6):423-442.
  32. Shah A, Hayes CJ, Martin BC. Characteristics of initial prescription episodes and likelihood of long-term opioid use—United States, 2006–2015. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2017;66: 265–269.
  33. Derry S, Derry C, Moore RA. Single dose oral ibuprofen plus oxycodone for acute postoperative pain in adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2013; doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD010289.pub2.
  34. Mathiesen O, Dahl B, Thomsen BA, et al. A comprehensive multimodal pain treatment reduces opioid consumption after multilevel spine surgery. Eur Spine J. 2013;22(9):2089–2096.
  35. Sakamoto B, Keiser S, Meldrum R, et al. Efficacy of liposomal bupivacaine infiltration on the management of total knee arthroplasty. JAMA Surgery. 2016; doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2016.3474.
  36. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Disposal of unused medicines: What you should know. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/BuyingUsingMedicineSafely/EnsuringSafeUseofMedicine/
    SafeDisposalofMedicines/ucm186187.htm    . Accessed January, 2018.
  37. Han B, Compton WM, Blanco C, et al. Prescription Opioid Use, Misuse, and Use Disorders in U.S. Adults: 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Ann Int Med. 2017;167(5):293-301.
  38. Jones C, Paulozzi LJ, Mack KA. Sources of prescription opioid pain relievers by frequency of past- year non-medical use. JAMA Int Med. 2014;174(5):802-803.
  39. NIDA. Misuse of prescription drugs. Summary. Available at https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/misuse-prescription-drugs/summary. Accessed April, 2018.
  40. CDC. Opioid overdose. FAQ. Will I get addicted to opioids? Available at https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/patients/faq.html. Accessed April, 2018.

Safe Pain Control for Children and Teens

  1. NIDA. Teens Mix Prescription Opioids with Other Substances. July 2013. Available at https://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/trends-statistics/infographics/teens-mix-prescription-opioids-other-substances. Accessed April 1, 2019.
  2. Merkel SI, Voepel-Lewis T, Shayevitz JR, Malviya S. The FLACC: a behavioral scale for scoring postoperative pain in young children. Pediatr Nurs. 1997;23(3):293-7.
  3. Poonai N, Datoo N, Ali S, et al. Oral morphine versus ibuprofen administered at home for postoperative orthopedic pain in children: a randomized controlled trial. CMAJ. 2017; 189(40): E1252–E1258.
  4. Avansino, JR, et al. A paradigm shift to balance safety and quality in pediatric pain management. Pediatrics, 2013:2012-1378.
  5. Harriet Lane Handbook. Acetaminophen. Available at https://www.unboundmedicine.com/harrietlane/view/Harriet_Lane_Handbook/309576/all/Acetaminophen. Accessed April 1, 2019.
  6. FDA. Reducing Fever in Children: Safe Use of Acetaminophen. Available at https://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm263989.htm. Accessed April 1, 2019.
  7. Children’s Advil Suspension. Available at http://labeling.pfizer.com/ShowLabeling.aspx?id=2562. Accessed April 2, 2019
  8. FDA. Motrin (ibuprofen) Suspension 100mg/5ml. Available at https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2007/019842s020lbl.pdf. Accessed April 1, 2019.
  9. Motrin. Warnings. Available at https://www.motrin.com/products/childrens-motrin. Accessed April 1, 2019.
  10. KidsHealth for Nemours. Giving Opioid Prescription Pain Medicine: What Parents Need to Know. Available at https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/opioid-prescription-safety.html?WT.ac=ctg#catchanging-body. Accessed April 1, 2019.
  11. Norco PI. Available at https://www.allergan.com/assets/pdf/norco_pi. Accessed March, 2018.
  12. Vicodin PI. Available at http://www.pdr.net/full-prescribing-information/Vicodin-Vicodin-ES-Vicodin-HP-acetaminophen-hydrocodone-bitartrate-2548. Accessed March, 2018.
  13. Dilaudid PI. Available at https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2007/019892s015lbl.pdf. Accessed March, 2018.
  14. Oxycontin PI. Available at https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2008/020553s059lbl.pdf. Accessed March, 2018.
  15. Percocet PI. Available at https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/fda/fdaDrugXsl.cfm?setid=4dd36cf5-8f73-404a-8b1d-3bd53bd90c25&type=display. Accessed March, 2018.
  16. Jenco M for AAP News. Do not use codeine, tramadol in children: FDA. April 20, 2017. Available at https://www.aappublications.org/news/2017/04/20/Codeine042017. Accessed April 1, 2019.
  17. Harstad E, Levy S, Committee on Substance Abuse. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Substance Abuse. Pediatrics. 2014;134(1):e293-e301. Available at https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/pediatrics/134/1/e293.full.pdf
  18. Schepis TS, Krishnan-Sarin S. Characterizing adolescent prescription misusers: a population-based study. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2008;47(7):745-754.
  19. Han B, Compton WM, Blanco C, et al. Prescription Opioid Use, Misuse, and Use Disorders in U.S. Adults: 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Ann Int Med. 2017;167(5):293-301.
  20. Jones C, Paulozzi LJ, Mack KA. Sources of prescription opioid pain relievers by frequency of past- year non-medical use. JAMA Int Med. 2014;174(5):802-803.
  21. Harbaugh CM, Lee JS, Hu HM, et al. Persistent Opioid Use Among Pediatric Patients After Surgery. Pediatrics. 2018;141(1). Available at https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/141/1/e20172439

Related Pages

Self-Breast Exam
For Patients

Self-Breast Exam

A self-breast exam should be performed on a regular basis. There are five steps to a breast self-examination.

3 Min
For Patients and Family
For Patients

For Patients and Family

You have a role in your recovery, and the resources on this page can help you actively participate in your care both in the hospital and at home.

3 Min
Safe Opioid Use in Surgery: A Team-based Approach
For Patients

Safe Opioid Use in Surgery: A Team-based Approach

The ACS is partnering with HCSC, a subsidiary of BCBS, to provide education on patient outcomes in pain management following musculoskeletal surgery.

5 Min
For Patients

Genetic and Biomarker Testing

In genetic and biomarker testing a biopsy sample will be sent for more testing to determine: estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor status, HER2 status, and triple negative status, and genomic assays.

3 Min
Self-Care and Additional Therapies
For Patients

Self-Care and Additional Therapies

There are a number of self-care and therapies for your breast cancer care.

3 Min
Marijuana and Surgery
For Patients

Marijuana and Surgery

Learn about the impacts of Marijuana use on surgical patients.

10 Min
Breast Reconstruction
For Patients

Breast Reconstruction

Breast reconstruction rebuilds the breast mound and restores the look of the breast.

7 Min
Strong for Surgery
For Patients

Strong for Surgery

Strong for Surgery has developed tools and resources for patients facing surgery that are available here on the website.
For Patients

Non-Invasive Breast Cancers

Non-invasive cancer cells are found in the lobules or ducts and have not moved to the lymph nodes or spread beyond the breast tissue.

5 Min
Surgical Cancer Patient Education
For Patients

Surgical Cancer Patient Education

Looking for cancer patient education resources? The ACS has information that can help you out.